On Erev Pessach in the morning, מזמור לתודה is not said, nor is למנצח, and it is forbidden from midday to do any work other than that which is for the Yom Tov, as if it was Chol HaMo’ed.
One should have one’s hair cut before midday, if possible. In the morning, eating any Chometz is forbidden from the time of the Hafsokkoh (that is, the time of stopping to eat Chometz, about ten o’clock — the exact time is given in the better kind of Lu’ach) and it is forbidden, too, to eat any Matzoh on Erev Pessach. (In our countries, we have the custom not to eat Matzoh from Purim; others abstain from eating Matzoh from the beginning of the month of Nissan.) It is not correct to give even children Matzoh to eat on Erev Pessach either, unless they are so young that they do not know anything about Pessach. However, dishes made with Matzoh-meal may be eaten by everyone until about three hours before nightfall, after which time even that is not allowed, and only fruit and vegetables, etc., are permitted, only so that one should not be starving hungry.
On Erev Pessach is the תענית בכורות when all male firstborns fast. In our countries the custom prevails that they are allowed to break their fast after Shacharis at a סעודת מצוה, usually a מסכת סיום.
On Erev Pessach, as in fact on every Erev Yom Tov, we go to the Mikveh to purify ourselves in preparation for the holiness of the coming Yom Tov.
Regarding the kashering of vessels (where this is necessary) it is important to consult a Rav well in advance of Pessach as in some cases the kashering process has to be started some days before Pessach. (In this context, “kashering” is the process by which vessels and utensils are made suitable for use on Pessach.)
Since it is forbidden to have any benefit whatsoever from Chometz during Pessach, it is not permitted even to give one’s pet to a non-Jew to look after if one knows that it will be fed Chometz. Usually, a pet shop will be able to advise an alternative for one’s pets’ food, e.g. ants’ eggs for goldfish; sprats, tinned sardines or tinned pilchards for cats; birdseed for budgerigars, etc., but care must be taken not to use any kind of pet food which contains Chometz.
